The South has a reputation for comfort foods, and nowhere is that more evident than with the Best Southern Breakfast Sandwich! Traditional bacon-egg-and-cheese better watch out because it just can’t compare to this morning marvel! Tucked between two fluffy waffles is a homemade crispy, fried chicken tender slathered in rich gravy with notes of heat and sweetness. That’s hearty already, but it gets even better when the sandwich goes even further and adds in succulent Canadian bacon and a runny fried egg! The Best Southern Breakfast Sandwich will get you pumped up for the day ahead with plenty of protein and passionate flavor.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups oats and honey cereal, finely crushed
- 4 chicken tenders, seasoned with salt and cayenne pepper
For the gravy:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- salt, to taste
- nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste
For cooking:
- vegetable oil, as needed
For the sandwiches:
- 4 frozen waffles, toasted
- 6 slices Canadian bacon, heated through
- 2 eggs, fried
Directions
Step 1 –Place 1/4 cup of the flour, the egg, and the cereal in three separate shallow dishes.
Step 2 –Dredge the chicken tenders in the flour, shaking off the excess.
Step 3 –Coat the floured chicken tenders in the egg, allowing the excess to drip off.
Step 4 –Coat the chicken in the cereal, pressing to adhere.
Step 5 –Chill the breaded chicken tenders in the fridge while making the gravy.
Step 6 –Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Step 7 –Whisk the remaining flour and the cayenne pepper into the butter mixture, cooking for 1 minute.
Step 8 –Whisk the milk and the honey into the flour mixture until smooth, then, cook and whisk until the gravy is thickened and simmering.
Step 9 –Season the gravy with the salt and the nutmeg.
Step 10 –Heat two inches of the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F.
Step 11 –Add the tenders to the hot oil and fry, flipping halfway through, until cooked through at 165 degrees F and a deep golden brown on both sides, about 5-6 minutes.
Step 12 –Top two waffles with the Canadian bacon, the fried chicken tenders, the eggs, the gravy, and the remaining waffles.
Step 13 –Serve.